Need some help

Eagle26
Eagle26 Member Posts: 3
in Colorectal Cancer #1

So last year my Mother was experiencing some symptoms of weight loss and a lump in her Lower abdomen, and always feeling tired. She went to the ER in May of 2015 and they discovered her blood levels were incredibly low, and this was due to internal bleeding by a tumor pushing down on her colon. They operated on her that night after giving her some blood transfusions. 

The surgery was successful to remove the tumor. 

 

 

The oncologist from my understanding said she was graded as a stage 2, I'm guessing this is due to size or location, however there was np lymph involvement or spreading. However he wanted her to do 6 months of chemo for some reason. She elected not too... she's 64 years old and I respect that... I'm not even sure if it would of benefited her, I just don't know. 

 

 

I was worried about her choice to elect to not go with chemo to destroy any remaining cells but ever since the surgery she has looked better than ever and got her life back...

 

She ended up going in November for a follow up colonoscopy and to my surprise there were no polyps , and no other tumors , she passed her colonscopy 

 

Does this mean surgery alone most lilely did it's job to eremove the cancer ? She's going to be ok foe now?

 

 

 

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #2
    Stinking Cancer!

    I am sorry about your mum, and all the fear that comes with Cancer whatever the stage.

    You are now expereinceing what Cancer is all about. Once you have been diagnosed, the fear of Cancer is always with you (or family, as you are experiencing). Some people are able to tell themselves that it is all over, but not many. 

    Nobody here will be able to tell you that yes, your mum has been cured and the Cancer will never come back. Nobody knows. Just like you don't know its there in the first place 'Like a silent killer, Cancer grows' (the words of Simon & Garfunkle). 

    But, you have to move on as if it is all gone. I hope your mum and the rest of the family can now put it behind you and move forward. Live life to the fullest and don't let the thought of recurrence dog your life. 

    I am so happy to hear that your mum is doing well. May it continue forever and ever. 

    Sue - Trubrit

     

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,289 Member
    #3
    Stage 2 relates to the layers

    Stage 2 relates to the layers involved in the tumor, more than S1, but no nodal involvement. Not trying the chemo is risking possible spread, doing it risks neuropathy and a number of discomforts.  Eight years after colon surgery, my colon has been clear, but being staged 3b, with 2 of 15 nodes involved, I've had metastasis removed twice from my liver, this after doing the chemo. Unfortunately, having her colon checked six months later doesn't guarantee alone that there was no spread, that's why chemo was recommended. Unless she's in fragile health, I'd try the chemo, because it's the strongest tool they have to prevent a spread, and if that happens, it's a much harder fight. There are other views, but that's mine. all the luck in the world to you and your mom....................Dave          PS: my dad was stage two colon cancer and didn't have to do any other treatment, so stage two is differently treated, depending on the circumstances and grading.

  • LindaK.
    LindaK. Member Posts: 506 Member
    #4
    My 2 cents

    I just thought I'd add my husband's experience for what it's worth.  My husband was diagnosed in December 2012 with stage 2 colon cancer.  He had surgery to remove the tumor and at that time there was no other involvement.  He was given options, do nothing or 2 kinds of chemo.  He chose to do the 12 Folfox treatments to try to extend his life and improve his odds.  He was 59.  He had had 4 previous colonoscopies since age 50 with polyps removed, but no cancer or pre-cancerous results.  He got 5 rounds of Folfox with Oxaliplatin and had another obstruction so 7 more treatments without Oxaliplatin.  He finished in the summer of 2013.  By November of 2013 he was having more pains and discomforts.  Had numerous tests, scans and a one -year colonoscopy where they said everything was "clear" and told him to lose weight.  In January 2014 he ended up back in the hospital for a horrendous 17 days.  Total mistreatment (they treated him for 7 days for "constipation" and no food or drink for 14 days.  Finally got him into surgery where they found another mass in his small intestines.  Surgeon said he could have died from it.  Now he was stage IV since he'd had a recurrence.  After we realized what bafoons and fools everyone treating his previously were, we switched to a larger, better and more hopeful cancer center.  They started him on Folfiri in March, 2014.  They scheduled a PET scan the first day we went there after I'd been asking for one for over a year at the other place.  PET scan found 2 distant lymph nodes that were suspicious and likely metastatic colon cancer.  He did fine for a few months with Folfiri but the lymph node tumors started growing and causing other issues by August.  Two more hospitalizations and in late September he came home on hospice care.  He passed away 11/2/14.  All I know is that each person's cancer is unique.  I believe his tumors were aggressive and fast growing.  Even when he tried to get help with his issues the 2nd time around, no one really listened or were very pro-active.  The only things you can do are to be aware of your body and keep on top of testing. 

    You should have hope she will be forever cancer free and I hope that is her path in life too.  No one can ever tell any of us for sure what will happen, with or without cancer. 

    Linda

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #5
    As you've read so far, nobody

    As you've read so far, nobody can say and everyone's path is different. I've told the story on here before about my grandmother who had colon cancer in the 1950s when she ws in her fifties. She had surgery and a colostomy but no chemo as it wasn't available yet and lived to be 84 and was healthy and active until her kidney's failed and she did not die of cancer. As for me I am a year and a half post surgery and so far have no indication that my cancer has returned. I had chemo and radiation before surgery and mop up chemo after. But as has been said you always live with the fear. I got a call from my surgeon's office today and felt my stomach drop until I called back and they just wanted to change my next appointment.

    I wish your mom all the best and good health and a long life.

    Jan

  • Eagle26
    Eagle26 Member Posts: 3
    #6
    JanJan63 said:

    As you've read so far, nobody

    As you've read so far, nobody can say and everyone's path is different. I've told the story on here before about my grandmother who had colon cancer in the 1950s when she ws in her fifties. She had surgery and a colostomy but no chemo as it wasn't available yet and lived to be 84 and was healthy and active until her kidney's failed and she did not die of cancer. As for me I am a year and a half post surgery and so far have no indication that my cancer has returned. I had chemo and radiation before surgery and mop up chemo after. But as has been said you always live with the fear. I got a call from my surgeon's office today and felt my stomach drop until I called back and they just wanted to change my next appointment.

    I wish your mom all the best and good health and a long life.

    Jan

    Thank you. I guess what I am

    Thank you. I guess what I am mainly asking though is based on the information I provided, is a good colonscopy a good indication that everything is good for now

  • Eagle26
    Eagle26 Member Posts: 3
    #7
    Trubrit said:

    Stinking Cancer!

    I am sorry about your mum, and all the fear that comes with Cancer whatever the stage.

    You are now expereinceing what Cancer is all about. Once you have been diagnosed, the fear of Cancer is always with you (or family, as you are experiencing). Some people are able to tell themselves that it is all over, but not many. 

    Nobody here will be able to tell you that yes, your mum has been cured and the Cancer will never come back. Nobody knows. Just like you don't know its there in the first place 'Like a silent killer, Cancer grows' (the words of Simon & Garfunkle). 

    But, you have to move on as if it is all gone. I hope your mum and the rest of the family can now put it behind you and move forward. Live life to the fullest and don't let the thought of recurrence dog your life. 

    I am so happy to hear that your mum is doing well. May it continue forever and ever. 

    Sue - Trubrit

     

    To be clear I know that

    To be clear I know that theres always a chance it can return, but for now, a clean colonscopy is good?

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,289 Member
    #8
    Eagle26 said:

    To be clear I know that

    To be clear I know that theres always a chance it can return, but for now, a clean colonscopy is good?

    Clear tests are always good,

    Clear tests are always good, she just needs to stay alert to any changes, denial or delay are what cost some more time or their lives...................Dave

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #9
    Eagle26 said:

    Thank you. I guess what I am

    Thank you. I guess what I am mainly asking though is based on the information I provided, is a good colonscopy a good indication that everything is good for now

    Yes

    I would say that for now, with a clean colonoscopy, you can breath and have faith that the Cancer has been taking care of. 

    I am sure she has been told to go back for regular colonoscopies and CEA blood work. Every three months seems to be regular procedure, six months maybe, a year and I would be asking questions. 

    Sue - Trubrit

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